Anigozanthos hybrid plant named ‘Rambodiam’

ABSTRACT

‘Rambodiam’ is a distinctive variety of  Anigozanthos  hybrid which is characterized by the combination of its short plant height with an upright growth habit and an erect leaf attitude, large number of flowers per inflorescence and predominantly white-colored flowers.

Latin name of the genus and species: Anigozanthos hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Rambodiam’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Anigozanthos hybrid, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Rambodiam’. Its market class is that of an ornamental plant. ‘Rambodiam’ is intended for use in landscaping and as a decorative plant.

The Anigozanthos hybrid variety ‘Rambodiam’ was the result of a spontaneous mutation of Anigozanthos hybrid ‘Bush Pearl’ in 2004 in Tuggerah, New South Wales, Australia. ‘Rambodiam’ was identified from a group of in vitro propagated plants of ‘Bush Pearl’ as a single whole plant mutation. ‘Rambodiam’ was observed to have a unique flower color consisting of a predominantly white perianth tube color whereas the normal color of ‘Bush Pearl’ is pink. The inventive variety was finally selected in July, 2004 based on its unique flowering traits. ‘Rambodiam’ was isolated and subsequently propagated in vitro during 2004 through 2005. Resultant plants were tested in 14 cm pots and in the ground during 2005 through 2007.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by in vitro propagation of micro-plants since 2004 in Tuggerah, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘Rambodiam’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Anigozanthos hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Short plant height with an upright growth habit;     -   2. Erect leaf attitude;     -   3. Large number of flowers per inflorescence; and     -   4. Predominantly white-colored flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the parent primarily in inflorescence color. ‘Rambodiam’ has the predominant color of the perianth tube as white whereas the parent has a pink predominant perianth tube color. The combination of short plant height with an upright growth habit and an erect leaf attitude, large number of flowers per inflorescence and a predominantly white colored perianth tube and ovary makes ‘Rambodiam’ a desirable ornamental plant suited for mass production for pot and landscape use. ‘Rambodiam’ is the first Anigozanthos hybrid with a predominantly white flower color.

Of the many commercially available Anigozanthos cultivars, the most similar in comparison to the new cultivar is the parent cultivar ‘Bush Pearl’, not patented. However, in side by side comparisons, conducted in Tuggerah, New South Wales, Australia plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Bush Pearl’ in at least the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Rambodiam’ has a predominantly white-colored perianth tube         whereas ‘Bush Pearl’ has a predominantly pink-colored perianth         tube;     -   2. ‘Rambodiam’ has a predominantly white-colored ovary which may         produce a slightly pink blush in some environments whereas ‘Bush         Pearl’ has a predominantly pink-colored ovary; and     -   3. ‘Rambodiam’ has white-colored hairs on the pedicel         corresponding to white (NN155B) with tips of these hairs colored         red-purple (ranging from 59C to 59D) whereas ‘Bush Pearl’ has         hairs colored red-purple (ranging from 67A to 67B).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘Rambodiam’.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ‘Rambodiam’ plant in a 14 cm pot grown for approximately 14 weeks in a greenhouse environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ‘Rambodiam’ plant in the landscape environment grown for approximately 40 weeks.

FIG. 3 illustrates a ‘Rambodiam’ inflorescence branching pattern.

FIG. 4 illustrates ‘Rambodiam’ flowers within the inflorescence showing flower and hair detail.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of an Anigozanthos hybrid ornamental plant known as ‘Rambodiam’. Plant observations were made on plants grown in Tuggerah, New South Wales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from January 2008 of mature ‘Rambodiam’ plants grown in nursery pots in greenhouse and outdoor growing areas with day temperature ranging from 25° C. to 27° C., night temperatures ranging from 6° C. to 8° C., and light levels ranging from 6 to 8 klux. Plants were grown for about 24 weeks with one plant per 14 cm container. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘Rambodiam’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

-   Botanical classification: Anigozanthos hybrid cultivar Rambodiam. -   Parentage:     -   -   Parent.—‘Bush Pearl’, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—In vitro propagation of micro-plants.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 7 to 10 days at a             temperature of approximately 25° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at a             temperature of approximately 15° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 45 to 60             days at a temperature of approximately 25° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 55 to 70             days at a temperature of approximately 15° C.         -   Root description.—Fibrous, freely branching and white in             color.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Inverted triangle; compact, upright             and outwardly spreading plant habit with branched flowering             stems with predominately white-colored flowers. Moderately             vigorous growth habit similar to the variety ‘Bush Pearl’.         -   Plant height.—Average plant height including the             inflorescence is about 55 cm (range 50 to 60 cm). Average             height of foliage only is 30 cm (range 25 to 35 cm).         -   Plant diameter.—Average plant spread of a mature plant grown             in 20 cm nursery pots or field plots in Tuggerah, New South             Wales, Australia is 35 cm (observed summer 2007 through             2008).         -   Lateral branch.—Quantity per plant: About 20. Strength:             Strong. Diameter: About 2 cm. Length of central internode:             Approximately 3 mm. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: 145B. -   Foliage description:     -   -   General description.—The leaf attitude is erect to             semi-erect and the degree of leaf curvature is slightly             curved. Arrangement: Alternate equitant, simple; sessile.         -   Leaves.—Length: About 15 to 25 cm in a 14 cm pot. Width:             About 10 to 12 mm in a 14 cm pot. Shape: Linear-slightly             falcate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cauline. Margin: Entire.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; weak             glaucosity and sparsely pubescent on leaf margin. Venation             pattern: Parallel. Color of the upper and lower surfaces:             147A with indistinguishable venation (observed spring 2006). -   Flower description:     -   -   General description.—Flowers arranged singly on terminal and             axillary racemes. Flowers with tubular perianth;             zygomorphic. Terminal flowers are held upright and attitude             of flowers gradually changes to a horizontal position             proximally. The proximal flowers are the first to open and             usually are the only flowers to express perianth lobe             reflexure. Flowers not fragrant. Flowers persistent. The             length of the lowest inflorescence branch including raceme:             About 10 to 12 cm. Number of flowers per inflorescence:             About 2 racemes per inflorescence, each with about 20             flowers greater in length than 3 mm in a 14 cm pot (observed             summer 2007 through 2008). Inflorescence height: About             50 cm. Inflorescence diameter: About 14 to 15 cm. Flower             diameter: About 4 to 5 mm measured at the base of the lobes             and about 2.2 cm across the lobes on an opened flower.             Flower height: About 5 mm measured at base of perianth lobes             and about 9 mm across the lobes on an opened flower.         -   Natural flowering season.—‘Rambodiam’ flowers almost             continuously under outdoor growing conditions.         -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Tubular. Length: About             3.5 cm. Width: About 5 mm. Texture: Tomentose. Color: 144A             with dense pubescence colored NN155B with tips of these             hairs colored ranging from 59C to 59D.         -   Perianth.—Arrangement: Fused elongated tube with six weakly             reflexed acute lobes; split on lower surface. Appearance:             Parallel to broadening evenly. Perianth tube length: About             3.5 to 4.0 cm. Perianth tube diameter: About 5 mm; at base,             about 6 mm. Lobe length: About 1.0 cm. Lobe width: About 5             mm at base. Texture, outer surface of perianth tube:             Tomentose. Texture, inner surface of perianth tube: Smooth,             glabrous. Color: When opening and fully opened, outer             surface of perianth tube: NN155B. When opening and fully             opened, inner surface of perianth tube: 144B.         -   Floral bracts.—Length: up to 7 cm. Width: About 6 mm at             base. Shape: Ensiform tapering to a narrow conduplicate form             at the apex. Apex: narrow acute. Base: Clasping. Margin:             Entire. Texture, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous. Texture,             lower surface: Tomentose. Color, upper surface: 137B. Color,             lower surface: 137B.         -   Peduncle (flowering stems).—Strength: Strong, stout. Aspect:             Upright to outwardly spreading. Length: About 40 to 45 cm.             Diameter at base: About 8.0 mm. Texture: Tomentose. Color of             surface: 146B. Pubescence color: Ranging from 59A to 59B             with color of hairs at junction with floral bracts NN155B             with reddening of hair tips absent at this point.         -   Pedicels (individual flower stems).—Length: About 3 mm.             Diameter: About 2 mm. Angle: Distally appressed to flowering             stems, then about 30° to 45° from flowering stems proximally             with the largest, most mature flowers. Strength: Strong.             Texture: Tomentose. Color: 144A. Pubescence color: Middle             third of hairs on the pedicel is NN155B with tips of these             hairs having a color of 59C to 59D.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity: 6 per flower. Anther             shape: Oblong. Anther size: About 1 mm by 3 mm. Anther             color: 12B. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color: 12B.             Pistils: Quantity: One per flower. Pistil length: About             3 cm. The position of the stigma in relation to the anthers             is level. Style length: About 2.8 cm. Style color: 145A.             Stigma shape: Rounded. Stigma color: 144A. Ovary color: 144A             with pubescence of NN155B with tips of hairs colored ranging             from 59C to 59D. -   Seed and fruit production: Seed and fruit development have not been     observed on plants of the new Anigozanthos. -   Environmental tolerances: ‘Rambodiam’ plants have exhibited good     tolerance to rain and wind and to tolerate temperatures from 1 to     about 40° C. ‘Rambodiam’ has moderate to good drought tolerance.     ‘Rambodiam’ has moderate to good recovery with watering after severe     wilting. ‘Rambodiam’ does well in sandy and gravelly soils. -   Disease resistance: ‘Rambodiam’ has not been observed to be     resistant to other pathogens and pests common to Anigozanthos. It is     expected that resistance to common Anigozanthos diseases such as     rust are similar to the parent ‘Bush Pearl’. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Anigozanthos hybrid plant named ‘Rambodiam’, substantially as herein shown and described. 